Water levels of Lichfield ’s historic Minster Pool and Stowe Pool are being lowered as part of a trial ahead of works to remove a huge build-up of leaves and silt.

The hefty task of draining began on Monday (December 4) and will continue until contractors can reach the depth required to sufficiently survey the task to come.

Lowering the water in Minster Pool will reveal a number of historic brick shafts.

Clean-up work to Minster Pool will then be scheduled for a later date. This will include removing several tonnes of leaves and silt, which is expected to add up to two coach-loads of organic waste in just one day.

The work will also include emptying and cleaning the culvert which feeds water into Stowe Pool and cleaning the weir inside Minster Pool.